This contribution presents the time-of-flight neutron engineering diffractometer BEER, currently under construction at the European Spallation Source (ESS) [1]. BEER is designed as a highly versatile instrument to address complex challenges in modern engineering materials science. A central focus is the non-destructive characterization of gradients and the evolution of internal stresses and crystallographic textures of materials, arising from, or developing during advanced industrial processes such as additive manufacturing, welding, and other thermo-mechanical treatments. To accommodate a broad range of experimental requirements, BEER will incorporate variable chopper configurations and employ state-of-the-art pulse-extraction techniques [2], enabling flexible tuning between resolution and intensity. A key innovation is the modulation technique [3], a novel beam-shaping strategy that extracts multiple short pulses from the long ESS source pulse. This approach delivers up to an order-of-magnitude gain in neutron intensity for high-symmetry crystalline materials, without compromising the resolution, thereby significantly enhancing data acquisition efficiency.

The basic sample environment will include a 100 kN deformation rig and a dilatometer with induction heating. For precise sample alignment and manipulation, BEER will offer two complementary sample/equipment-positioning systems: a hexapod with a 2-ton payload capacity for large-scale samples and experimental setups; and a 6-axis industrial robot for handling smaller or geometrically complex specimens. These integrated capabilities will support a broad spectrum of ex-situ, in-situ, and in-operando experiments, establishing BEER as a powerful and adaptable instrument for advanced engineering materials research in both academic and industrial contexts. User operations are expected to begin around 2027-2028.


References

[1] K.H. Andersen, et al., Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A. 957 (2020) 163402.

[2] J. Saroun, et al., J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 746 (2016) 012011.

[3] M. Rouijaa, et al., Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A. 889 (2018) 7-15.